The Nan National Museum occupies the former palace of Nan's last feudal rulers, a handsome 1903 building set in a calm garden. Inside are exhibits on the province's peoples, textiles, silverwork, weapons, royal objects, and religious art, with enough English labelling to make the visit worthwhile.
It is the best place to understand why Nan feels different from a standard northern Thai town. The old principality looked toward Lanna, Laos, and Tai Lue culture all at once.